Three-dimensional image retainer

ABSTRACT

A 3-D image retainer is configured to have a plurality of perforated retainer plates and a retainer assembly displaceable to lock selectively impressed pins, which traverse the retained plates, in the desired position corresponding to the 3-D contour of the applied load.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a three-dimensional image retainer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to utilize devices capable of forming a three-dimensionalimage of an object. Typically, these devices are provided with a supportand a plurality of pins which can slide through numerous holes formed inthe support in response to an external load. Depending on a shape of theload, the pins are displaceable at different distances to form a contourcorresponding to a shape of the load. While a three-dimensional image iseasily formed, it is difficult to preserve this image for a prolongedperiod of time. Particularly, displacing the support causes the pins tomove from a position corresponding to the formed image.

It is therefore desirable to provide a three-dimensional image devicewhich is capable of retaining a contour corresponding to the shape of aload even when the device is displaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs are satisfied by the inventive image retainer. Particularly,the device is provided with a plurality of pins each having a pair ofsmooth ends that are formed and dimensioned to prevent the deviceoperator from uncomfortable feeling.

The inventive devices is configured with a plurality of retainer plateseach having a respective multiplicity of openings, which are traversedby the pins. The pins are displaceable in response to applying a 3-Dload to one end of the pins so that the pins selectively move toward animpressed position, in which the opposite ends of selectively impressedpins recreate the contour of the load. To ensure the impressed positionof the selected pins, the inventive image retainer further includes aretaining assembly traversable by the plurality of pins and operative tomove in a plane perpendicular to the pin axes so as to lock the pins inthe impressed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages will become more readilyapparent from the following detailed description accompanied by thefollowing drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image retainer assembled inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the image retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the image retainer of FIGS. 1 and 2 having aplurality of pins displaced in an unloaded position;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the image retainer of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the image retainer along lines V-V of FIG.3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the assembled image retainer along linesVI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the disassembled image retainer alonglines VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the assembled image retainer along linesof FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the disassembled image retainer alonglines of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the image retainer along lines X-X ofFIG. 3 illustrating a position of a lock plate in which unlocked pinsmove freely;

FIG. 11 is a top sectional view of the image retainer along lines X-X ofFIG. 3 illustrating a position of a lock plate in which the pins arelocked;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views similar to the views of FIGS. 10 and 11,respectively, but illustrate openings having a shape different from theone shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the imager retainer assembled inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the inventive device configured inaccordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17A is a diagrammatic view illustrating a plurality of pins of thedevice of FIG. 15 in a position, in which displacement of the pins isarrested;

FIG. 17B is a diagrammatic view of the device of FIG. 15 having freelydisplaceable pins.

FIG. 18 is a top view f a one-piece retainer element associated with thedevice of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the inventive device configured inaccordance with a further embodiment of the invention and illustrating aplurality of pins that are not inserted into the device;

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of the device illustrated in FIG. 19and illustrated in an inserted position;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are enlarged views of a single pin before and after thepin has been inserted;

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of the inventive device configured inaccordance with still a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, an image retainer 100 is configured to recreatea 3-D image of an object loaded upon either one of opposite enlargedpinhead ends 12, 14 of pins 10 (FIGS. 1-7), which are selectivelydisplaceable in response to a load so as to recreate the 3D image ofthis load.

The image retainer 100 includes a plurality of retainer plates 22, 24,26 and 28 (FIGS. 1, 2) assembled in two pairs and each having arespective multiplicity of openings 30 (FIG. 2). Configuration of theopenings is such that the pins 10, each of which has a shank or body 16provided with fixed or removable pinheads 12, 14 (FIGS. 1-13), canfreely move through each of the openings 30, which is dimensioned tohave an inner diameter larger than both pin's shank or body 16 andpinheads 12 and 14. The pinheads 12 and 14 each have a smooth,preferably spherical outer surface 34 (FIGS. 6, 7) configured to preventdiscomfort or inconvenience that may be experienced by the deviceoperator whose limb is desired to be recreated and secured for a prolongperiod of time. Furthermore, the enlarged pinhead 34 provides for asubstantially uniform distribution of driving forces, which, in turn,allows for a better steering of the pins 10 through the openings 30.

If the device operator would like not to recreate the image of the load,but to create his own design, a kit including the above discussedstructure may be provided with a pin actuator 120 (FIG. 14), providedwith a relatively small pointing end 122 and a relatively large holder124.

During the assembly of the image retainer 100, the retainer plates 22,24 and 26, 28 are positioned so that the openings 30 of these plates arealigned, as shown in FIG. 7, and easily traversed by the pins 10.Typically, assembling the image retainer is provided on a flat surfacesupporting a plurality of nuts 36 (FIGS. 1, 2, 8 and 9), each of whichis aligned with holes 38 (FIGS. 2, 8 and 9) formed in the corner regionsof the retainer plates 22-28 and later traversed by fasteners 40.However, the nuts 36 are not tightened to the fasteners 40 untiladjacent retainer plates 22, 24 and 26, 28 are displaced relative to oneanother in a plane generally parallel to the surface, as shown in FIGS.5, 6 and 11, to have the shanks (FIGS. 6, 7) of the pins 10 squeezedbetween inner walls 31 and 33 (FIGS. 6 and 7) of the vertically adjacentopenings 30 of all retainer plates. In other words, the openings 30 areintentionally misaligned so that while the shanks of the pins areprevented from freely running through the openings 30 of the retainerplates 22-28, each of the pins is still enabled to move in response toapplication of the load. However, although the pins each aredisplaceable in response to applying a load to either of its ends, itcannot completely disengage the plates 22, 24, 26 and 28 becausepinheads 12 and 14 are larger than a portion 35 of each opening 30,which is formed as a result of displacement of the plates.

The fasteners 40 are selected from screws, bolts and pins subject onlyto proper dimensioning allowing for the fasteners to move through theholes 38 (FIG. 2) and for displacement of the retainer plates 22 through28 relative to one another. The use of screws or threaded pinseliminates the need for the nuts 36, but requires threaded regions inspacers 42 (FIGS. 2, 8 and 9) positioned between the pairs of theretainer plates 22, 24 and 26, 28 and at least two extreme holes 38.

Opposite ends 44 (FIG. 8) of the spacers 42 are recessed to provide fora support of the retainer plates. In the end, once the walls 31 and 33(FIG. 6) of the openings 30 abut the pins 10, the nuts 36 (FIG. 2) aretightened on the fasteners 40 so as to allow the pins 10 move only inresponse to an external force. Increasing the number of the retainerplates improves the proper positioning of the pins 10, but as few as tworetainer plates, for example, the plates 22 and 28, may suffice for thepurposes of this invention. While the cross-section of openings 30 oflock plate 20, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5,10 and 11, is circular, FIGS.12 and 13 illustrate lock plate 20 formed with openings 29 which have across-section different from the circular one and including, but notlimited to, a rather conical and/or wedged cross-section.

The pins 10, displaced in response to the load application, can belocked in the impressed position by a retainer assembly, which includesan actuator 18, lock plate 20 and a holder 46. The lock plate 20 isformed with a plurality of apertures 130 (FIGS. 2, 6, 7, and 9)dimensioned to be slightly larger than the pinheads 12, 14 (FIGS. 6, 7)of the pins 10 to allow for displacement of the lock plate 20 inresponse to a force applied to the actuator 18 (FIG. 1). When the plates22, 24, 26 and 28 are displaced relative one another to a position shownin FIG. 6, in which the pins 10 still can move in response to applyingan external force, apertures 130 of the lock plate 20 do not preventdisplacement of the pins. However, when the desired impressed positionis established, the device operator applies a torque to the actuator 18causing the plate 20 to move and engage the portion of the pins'circumference so that the pins cannot move even if an external forcewere applied regardless of the position of the image retainer 100.

To mount the retainer assembly (FIG. 2) to the imager retainer 100, theholder 46 (FIG. 2) has a C-shape provided with opposite legs 52 (FIG.1), which are formed with respective openings traversed by the shanks ofthe fasteners 40. The C-shape of the holder defines a space between anend of the lock plate 20 and an inner surface of the holder which issufficient to provide displacement of the lock plate to a position inwhich the impressed pins are locked. A variety of actuatorconfigurations may be provided including, for example, a threaded axle54 (FIG. 2) that is removably coupled to the lock plate 20 and furthersecured thereto by a pressure plate 56 and screws or axles 54 (FIG. 2).The actuator 18 (FIG. 1) is threadedly mounted on the axle 54 andpressure plate 56 and operates so that its rotation is translated into alinear displacement of the lock plate 20. A recess 60 (FIG. 1) formed inthe holder 46 receives the actuator 18 and, while allowing the actuatorto rotate, prevents its linear displacement with the axle 54.Conversely, the actuator 18 may be coupled to the lock plate 20 andlinearly displaced therewith along a linearly immovable axle.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS.15, 16, 17A and 17B, the 3-D retainer assembly 100 may have a pluralityof retainer plates 62 and 64 separated from one another by spacers 66and each provided with a respective multiplicity of openings, which aretraversed by pins 66 configured identically to the previously disclosedembodiments. In contrast to the previously disclosed embodiments,retainer 100 of FIG. 15 is provided with a modified locking mechanismssecuring a final locking position of the pins in the impressed positionthereof.

The locking mechanism has a plurality of separate strips 68 fixed to adrum 72 by one end thereof and having the other end fixed to the plate62. Since the strips are made from elastic material, the device operatoris able to apply a torque to a handle 74 translating into tensioning thestrips. Increasing tension causes the bodies of the strips to attenuateand, thus, widen a space 70 defined between each pair of neighboringstrips. Conversely, reducing the tension narrows this space. Thismechanism, as shown in FIG. 17A allows the strips 68 to squeeze the rowsof the pins 10, each inserted between a respective pair of strips, whena relatively small tensioning force is applied to the strips. In thisposition of the strips, the pins are displaceably fixed so as to retainthe desired impressed image. Displacement of the pins is provided, whenthe device operator applies a torque to the handle 74, thereby rotatingthe drum 72 which, in turn, causes the strips 68 to attenuate and widenthe space 70, as shown in FIG. 17B, so as to allow the pins to move.

A further modification of the locking mechanism is illustrated in FIG.18 and includes, instead of plurality of separate strips 68 of FIG. 15,a single body or mat 76 operating in a manner similar to theabove-disclosed. In particular, the mat 76 has two opposite sides 80 and82, one of which is fixed to the drum configured similarly to the drum74 of FIG. 15, and the other side 82 is fixed to the edge region of theadjacent plate. The mat, like the separate strips, is made fromelastomeric material capable of stretching in response to applying atensioning force. At least a portion of the mat 76 is provided withalternating slots or spaces 78 and peninsulas of material 74.Accordingly, when the pins 10 (not shown) are inserted into the slots,each pair of adjacent peninsulas function as the strips capable ofincreasing the width of the grooves, when the tensioning force isapplied, and reduce the width upon removing this force. A widthmodification allows the pins to be either fixed or relatively freelymove through the plates whose openings, of course, are aligned withspaces or slots 70. Note that the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 15-18may have two or more plates 62 and 64 (FIG. 1) either displaceable, asexplained in reference to FIGS. 1-14 or fixed relative to one another.If the retainer has a structure with displaceably fixed plates, eitherthe spaced apart strips 68 (FIG. 15) or mat 76 (FIG. 18) may reliablylock the pins in the impressed position. Also, preferably oppositepinheads 12 and 14 of each pin 10 (FIG. 16) are dimensioned to be largerthan the space or slot width between adjacent strips or peninsulas ofmaterial even when a maximum tensioning force is applied to the lockingmechanism.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 19-22 plates 90 and 92, like the previously disclosed plates ofFIGS. 1-18, have a plurality of rows of openings or spaced continuouschannels 94, are made from resilient material that yields to pins 10 inresponse to an external pushing force. Although the pinheads 12 and 14are larger than a distance D2 of the openings or channels, during themanufacturing of the inventive assembly, in response to an externalforce, spherical pinheads 14 (FIG. 20) force opposing edges 96 and 98(FIG. 21) of lands of materials to flex inwardly. Upon penetrationthrough channels 94, the edges spring back to the initial position, asshown in FIG. 22, which is characterized by distance D2 substantiallyequal to the diameter of pin body 16. Penetration through the lowerplate includes the same principle as disclosed immediately above. Inuse, the operator of the inventive assembly cannot pull or push theinstalled pins through either of the plates because a flat underside 97of the pinhead cannot produce the same wedge action upon the edges 96and 98 as the spherical pinhead. Accordingly, the pins can slide in use,but cannot be completely removed.

FIG. 23 illustrates a method of assembling the inventive retainerassembly 100. While having a plurality of pins 10 arranged andmaintained in a plurality of parallel rows, four plates 102, 104, 106and 108, which are arranged in two spaced apart pairs are displaced sothat, for example, plates 104 and 108 move in one plane and plates 102and 108 move in a perpendicular plane. Since each plate of one pair hasa plurality of teeth 114 extending perpendicular to the teeth of otherplate of the same pair, displacement continues until the teeth of allfour plates form a plurality of polygonal cells each traversed by arespective pin. The teeth 114 of each plate are spaced from one anotherat a distance D₃ selected to be substantially equal to the diameter ofthe pin's body or shank 16. In use, the teeth form a respective cellfrictionally engaging the pin body and allowing it to move in responseto applying an external force or load while preventing displacement ofthe pinhead through the cells.

Once all four plates are displaced in a position in which they arealigned, a plurality of spacers and fasteners couple the plates.Completing the assembly of the inventive retainer includes installationof a variety of locking systems disclosed above in reference to FIGS.1-22.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely asexemplifications of the preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

1. An image retainer comprising: a plurality of retainer plates eachhaving a respective multiplicity of openings and displaceable relativeto one another in a first plane between a first position, in which theopenings of the plurality of plates are aligned in a second planeextending transversely to the first plane, thereby forming a pluralityof parallel rows of openings in the second plane, and a second position,in which the openings are misaligned; a plurality of parallel pins eachhaving a respective shank and a pair of spaced opposite pinheads eachextending radially outwards from the respective shank, the plurality ofpins each being inserted through a respective row of aligned openings inthe first position of the plurality of plates and having a respectiveshank frictionally engaged by the plurality of plates in the secondposition thereof, wherein the plurality of pins are frictionallydisplaceable in the second plane to an impressed position of theplurality of pins in response to applying a load to one of the spacedopposite pinheads in the second position of the plurality of plates,thereby recreating a 3-D image of the load upon removing the load; and aretaining assembly operative to move in the first plane upondisplacement of the plurality of pins to the impressed position and lockthe pins therein, wherein the plurality of pins displaced in theimpressed position are displaceably arrested to retain the 3-Ddimensional image upon removing the load regardless of a spatialposition of the image retainer, wherein the retainer assembly includesan actuator and a retaining element extending between the plurality ofretainer plates, wherein the retaining element of the retainer assemblyis a lock plate provided with a plurality of apertures, the plurality ofapertures each being traversed by a respective one of the pluralitypins, the lock plate being coupled to the actuator so that when theactuator is rotatable in one direction, the lock plate is displaced to aposition in which a peripheral wall of each of the plurality ofapertures presses against and arrests displacement of the plurality ofpins, and when the actuator is rotatable in an opposite direction, thelock plate is displaced to unlock the pins, wherein the retainingelement includes a one-piece mat coupled to the actuator and made from astretchable material, the mat having a plurality of alternatinglongitudinal ridges and valleys, the valleys being provided with aplurality of apertures each traversed by a respective one of theplurality of pins as at least some of the plurality of pins aredisplaceable to the impressed position.
 2. The image retainer of claim1, wherein the actuator includes a shaft rotatable about a shaft axis,the shaft being coupled to one end of the mat so that when the shaft isrotated in one direction, the ridges are displaced towards one anotherto lockingly engage the plurality of pins in the impressed positionthereof, and when the actuator is rotatable in an opposite direction,the ridges move away from one another so as to release the plurality ofpins from the impressed position.
 3. An image retainer comprising: aplurality of retainer plates each having a respective multiplicity ofopenings and displaceable relative to one another in a first planebetween a first position, in which the openings of the plurality ofplates are aligned in a second plane extending transversely to the firstplane, thereby forming a plurality of parallel rows of openings in thesecond plane, and a second position, in which the openings aremisaligned; a plurality of parallel pins each having a respective shankand a pair of spaced opposite pinheads each extending radially outwardsfrom the respective shank, the plurality of pins each being insertedthrough a respective row of aligned openings in the first position ofthe plurality of plates and having a respective shank frictionallyengaged by the plurality of plates in the second position thereof,wherein the plurality of pins are frictionally displaceable in thesecond plane to an impressed position of the plurality of pins inresponse to applying a load to one of the spaced opposite pinheads inthe second position of the plurality of plates, thereby recreating a 3-Dimage of the load upon removing the load; and a retaining assemblyoperative to move in the first plane upon displacement of the pluralityof pins to the impressed position and lock the pins therein, wherein theplurality of pins displaced in the impressed position are displaceablyarrested to retain the 3-D dimensional image upon removing the loadregardless of a spatial position of the image retainer, wherein theretainer assembly includes an actuator and a retaining element extendingbetween the plurality of retainer plates, wherein the retaining elementof the retainer assembly is a lock plate provided with a plurality ofapertures, the plurality of apertures each being traversed by arespective one of the plurality pins, the lock plate being coupled tothe actuator so that when the actuator is rotatable in one direction,the lock plate is displaced to a position in which a peripheral wall ofeach of the plurality of apertures presses against and arrestsdisplacement of the plurality of pins, and when the actuator isrotatable in an opposite direction, the lock plate is displaced tounlock the pins, wherein the plurality of retainer plates are arrangedin a multiplicity of pairs, each retainer plate being provided with aplurality of tongues space apart and extending so that the plurality oftongues of one retainer plate of each pair extends in a planeperpendicular to a plane of the plurality of tongues of the otherretainer plate, whereby the plurality of tongues of the retainer platesof each pair define a respective one of the plurality of openings havinga larger cross-sectional area in the first position of the plurality ofretainer plates and a smaller cross-sectional area in the secondposition of the plurality of retainer plates.
 4. An image retainercomprising: a plurality of retainer plates each having a respectivemultiplicity of openings and displaceable relative to one another in afirst plane between a first position, in which the openings of theplurality of plates are aligned in a second plane extending transverselyto the first plane, thereby forming a plurality of parallel rows ofopenings in the second plane, and a second position, in which theopenings are misaligned; a plurality of parallel pins each having arespective shank and a pair of spaced opposite pinheads each extendingradially outwards from the respective shank, the plurality of pins eachbeing inserted through a respective row of aligned openings in the firstposition of the plurality of plates and having a respective shankfrictionally engaged by the plurality of plates in the second positionthereof, wherein the plurality of pins are frictionally displaceable inthe second plane to an impressed position of the plurality of pins inresponse to applying a load to one of the spaced opposite pinheads inthe second position of the plurality of plates, thereby recreating a 3-Dimage of the load upon removing the load; and a retaining assemblyoperative to move in the first plane upon displacement of the pluralityof pins to the impressed position and lock the pins therein, wherein theplurality of pins displaced in the impressed position are displaceablyarrested to retain the 3-D dimensional image upon removing the loadregardless of a spatial position of the image retainer, wherein theretainer assembly includes an actuator and a retaining element extendingbetween the plurality of retainer plates, wherein the retaining elementof the retainer assembly is a lock plate provided with a plurality ofapertures, the plurality of apertures each being traversed by arespective one of the plurality pins, the lock plate being coupled tothe actuator so that when the actuator is rotatable in one direction,the lock plate is displaced to a position in which a peripheral wall ofeach of the plurality of apertures presses against and arrestsdisplacement of the plurality of pins, and when the actuator isrotatable in an opposite direction, the lock plate is displaced tounlock the pins, wherein the retaining element includes a plurality ofseparate strips made from resilient material, the plurality of separatestrips being spaced from one another at a larger distance in the firstand second positions of the plurality of retainer plates so as to allowthe plurality of pins freely move towards the impressed position, andspaced from one another at a smaller distance in the impressed positionof the plurality of pins so as to arrest displacement of the pluralityof pins.